Running crews, the new Nike #PegasusTurbo and Berlin as the epicenter.

On the first days of August, we were invited to Berlin. It was pretty hot in Barcelona and we were craving for holidays, but we love Berlin. Also, we were invited by Nike so we knew it was going to be 3 nice days away in a nice hotel, eating delicious and healthy food, meeting interesting people, and more importantly having the change to be one of the first people to try the new Nike Air Zoom Pegasus.

Berlin, as one of the more important cities to host a Marathon, was the perfect place for this new launch by Nike Running.

Delivering on direct feedback from elite runners, the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus gets a serious speed upgrade via a new model, the Nike Zoom Pegasus Turbo.

If you’re getting Nike Zoom Vaporfly Elite and 4% vibes, you’re on to something. The Turbo was inspired by these dominant marathon shoes, employing the same highly responsive ZoomX foam in the midsole and taking on the same aerodynamic shape of the heel.

A quick physics refresher: Energy can only be transferred — no system can create or destroy it. What foam can do is help to reduce the amount of energy being lost by your shoe every time you compress it by applying force to it (with running this is typically a combination of your stride, pace, and weight). It does this by springing back toward its original shape every time your foot leaves the ground. The closer it can get to its original shape, the more energy transfers back into the foam.

What the Turbo doesn’t include from the Nike Zoom Vaporfly Elite and 4% is the carbon-fiber plate. But that’s strategic: The plate increases stiffness to provide a propulsion sensation, allowing runners to quickly “pop off” the road. It feels fast and a little firm.

During these days, we were able to speak with four RUNNING CREWS leaders invited by Nike to try the new #PegasusTurbo

KRAFT RUNNERS

Berlin, 2016. KRAFT Runners are a group of friends who got to know each other as pacers at NRC. They discovered their common passion for running fast, their common vibe and a strong group spirit. In November 2016 they started with KRAFT Tuesdays, offering people to join their training, no matter what level, no matter what pace. Their motto is #geilballern, which means having fun, smiling, enjoying every session, running faster than you think you can, partying hard, motivating each other and always be on the bright side of life.

Can you tell us the name of your crew and where did it come from?

My name is Marco. I’m one of the founders of KRAFT RUNNERS, a group of friends who discovered their common passion for running fast, and whit a strong group spirit. We started trainer together in 2016 because we wanted to train for the Berlin Marathon, and our name come from to Cafe Kraft, my coffee shop, which is the meeting point of all runners.

You always run with your crew, or you cheat your crew and sometimes run alone?

I confess sometimes I’m cheating and running alone. The last week I had to do a long run of 30k, and no one wants to join to train because of work, so I cheated. But mostly 90-99% I run with my crew, at least with one of them.

Which is your favorite place to run?

The marathon always is crazy and fun, but I thought about this run-project which we ran on the desert between LA to Vegas. I think the landscapes when you run into sundown or sunrise, those moments for combine nature, nice weather and crazy run with anyone, in any city and any country, that’s moments are always memorable.

What’s necessary to join your crew, and what’s necessary to dump someone?

We really don’t have rules, maybe unwritten rules, like being polite. The same bases to have friendship affection.

What kind of music do you listen to while running and what kind of music do you prefer when you go running on your own?

The music is a very big debate topic for our crew group. Some guys like electronic music, others like pop music. I think for our crew is interesting the mixture of both. Electronic music and pop, also the hip-hop vibes.

When I ever go out alone, I like to listen to podcasts. Is only part of the day that I have time to listen to someone for two hours telling me something I don’t know. I think that is very cool for running.

What would be the spirit animal of your crew?

Some strong animal, like a tiger. Someday maybe we put in on our shirts.

 

PATTA

Amsterdam. Back in 2010, Patta founder Edson Sabajo started the Patta Running Team. It has since then become a serious group of runners that take part in marathons and runs all over the world. Combining this with the motto ‘Run-Party-Repeat,’ Patta proves that not only are they athletic gear in style but also at heart.

Can you tell us the name of your crew and where did it come from?

I’m Ed, from the PATTA running team. We made the team thanks to Nike, which was the sponsor of the most famous race in Holland, Dam tot Damloop, and they asked me if I could create the team. Since 2010 we are a serious group of runners that take part in marathons and runs all over the world.

You always run with your crew, or do you cheat on your crew and sometimes run alone?

Always run with my crew, but when I’m training like now for the marathon, not everybody can join the running, so I train alone.

Which is your favorite place to run?

Stockholm, it has a lot of fun and nature.

And the place where would be a dream come true to run?

I would like to run in Kenya.

What’s necessary to join your crew, and what’s necessary to dump someone?

In the crew, if you are not polite, you have no place. So be polite.

What kind of music do you listen to while running and what kind of music do you prefer when you go running on your own?

I don’t always run with music. When I have to, I listen mostly to Drum and bass. Because the tempo, is perfect for running.

What would be the spirit animal of your crew?

A black panther.

 

BERLIN BRAVES

Berlin, 2012. First and foremost a sports club – re-established by Joey W. Elgersma in 2012, Berlin Braves complement their athletic foundation by showcasing the spirit of Berlin’s dynamic international community. It’s amateur sport on a competitive level, spiced up with a passion for hip-hop, contemporary art, design, photography, film, and fashion.

Can you tell us the name of your crew and where did it come from?

My name is Joey, and I’m from the BERLIN BRAVES. We started, well,  we re-established, in 2012. It was when I really saw Berlin had a really strong and rich sports history. We create this dynamic and international community, spiced up with passion for hip-hop, contemporary art, design, photography, film, and fashion.

You always run with your crew, or do you cheat on your crew and sometimes run alone?

I never cheat. Never cheated on my wife, and never on my team.

Which is your favorite place where you are run?

I love running around the beach, any warm beach. I like the tropical aspect of running and look for some new and different experiences. Get me in contact with other cultures and different races, meeting new people and having more experiences.

And the place where would be a dream come true to run?

I would love to run through the jungle.

What’s necessary to join your crew, and what’s necessary to dump someone?

Someone can be kicked out from a running crew for the same reason why you can’t be friends with them. So be polite, and not be inappropriate, sexist, homophobic, racist, or everything else for which you would kick someone from your house.

What kind of music do you listen to while running alone?

Mostly podcasts, and sports shows if I run alone.

 

 

TRACK MAFIA

London. A group of runners who consider themselves family rather than club mates, a driven yet relaxed group of young, diverse and talented runners who congregate at Paddington Rec in West London every Thursday to catch up, build friendships and train hard.

Can you tell us the name of your crew and where did it come from?

Hi, I’m Colin. I’m from London crew TRACK MAFIA. We have a group of runners who consider themselves family rather than club mates. We are a diverse group of runners who congregate at Paddington Rec in West London every Thursday to catch up, build friendships and train hard. Our name was coined after one brutal run of 40K. A lot of us were lying on the floor, and we ask “what would be cool for us?”, and someone scream “Track Mafia!”, and there it’s where the name came from.

You always run with your crew, or you cheat your crew and sometimes run alone?

I do a lot of cheating (Laughter). I do a lot of running by myself, I guess that’s because I also use running as my therapy. But I love so run a lot with my team too because they do exactly the same thing.

Which is your favorite place where you are run?

It’s not my favorite place to run, but yes where my mind takes me. It’s the Royal Parks in London, in between autumn and winter, when it’s still a little bit warm but it’s raining. You can link all of the parks, and make a run wherever you want. You can walk St. James Park, to Green Park, Hyde Park, running through the woods.

And the place where you would be a dream come true to run?

I would love to shut down an underground station, and run between tunnels.

What’s necessary to join your crew, and what’s necessary to dump someone?

We never kick anyone from the community, people just go out and come back. I think nobody has been so stupid hahaha.

What kind of music do you listen to while running and what kind of music do you like when you go out alone?

I never run with music when I go out alone, but when I run in a big group we have all styles of music, we have drum & bass, we have Trap, Hip-hop, R&B, remixes and everything about pop music.

What would be the spirit animal of your crew?

Something really inspiring, strong, but at the same time really chill… like a golden eagle.

 

www.nike.com